Big Time Burgers at Minute Burgers

I'm a really huge fan of burgers. They are so yummy and very filling. Minute Burger has been serving people burgers way back when. I could remember back then my uncle treating me to one of the local Minute Burger joints. From back then to now, they've really went up a few notches. Minute Burger was just a slab of meat on burger buns added with some ketchup-mayo tandem. But now, they have these so-called BIG TIME BURGERS.

I've heard about it during finals at freshmen med school, but took me another month to visit the nearest joint just to try one of these new burgers. Being a burger junkie, I have specifications and standards for burgers, especially now that different classy, branded burger restaurants are emerging here in the city. 

For now, I've only tasted the BLACK PEPPER BURGER since according to the man selling the burger, its their best seller, even though the BACON CHEESEBURGER looks more appetizing for me.

When I got my burger, I was impressed because their packaging improved. My very last burger from Minute Burger which was a few years ago, was served in a typical burger cellophane. Now, it comes in a very cool black box! Very impressive!

When I opened the box, I kind of expected the same look on their posters, unfortunately, it fell short big time. The buns were not hot nor warm which I didn't like. I really don't like hard bread. Makes me think it's a few days old. The onions looked mushy because they were pre-cooked and the mushrooms looked unappetizing. The patties were soggy which was a really huge turn off. And to add insult to injury, the burger was swimming with this black sauce. I was expecting the sauce to be equally spread on the bun, just like the old times; ketchup-mayo spread evenly on the bun. The sauce was too much. But you don't expect restaurant styling/dishing on a P50 buy-one-take-one burger, do you?

Personally, taste wise, its only OK for me. You get the worth of your P50.  I like the sweet and spiciness of the sauce. I can't taste the onions, though. Its not the same as those burgers you get from Army Navy, Burger King, Gino's Boom Burger (Local) and Backyard Burger (Local), but for only P50 and its buy-1-take-1, you can't really complain.

Personally, i'd rate it a 6 out of 10. A little more improvement, maybe (just maybe) they could be at par with the leading burger joints in the city, but who know maybe in the country. If that happens then I guess we'll expect increase in price but of course better quality burgers. 

For a quick burger fix, you could deal with a buy-one-take-one at the nearest Minute Burger joint in your area, especially if you reside far from the malls or food strips.

Next time, I'll try the BACON CHEESEBURGER. This entry makes me hungry at 3am!

For more details on Minute Burger, visit their facebook page:

Minute Burger

For some reason, I couldn't access their website:

http://www.minuteburger.com/

Where the hell are the fresh herbs in Davao?!

Its been a week since my mom left us for Dumaguete to accompany my sister at the Palarong Pambansa 2013. We finished all the food available in the pantry over the week and tonight, my dad decided to fill the pantry again, so we went shopping for groceries at, *drum roll please*, SM Lanang Premiere.

Its my first time shopping for groceries at SM Lanang. My mom usually gets our groceries from NCCC Mall because she thinks its a lot cheaper compared to SM. But really, they're all the same.

So when we got there, the first thing that came to my mind was to get the ingredients I need to make that Pork Tenderloin dish I got from the show Barefoot Contessa. So we got everything from the stalls except the herbs. So I went to the herb section and viola! In front of me were arrays of herbs.... IN CONTAINERS (boxes, aluminum foils, plastics) in their preserved/dried state!

WHERE THE HELL ARE THE FRESH HERBS?! I can't cook the dish with preserved/dried herbs. It wouldn't be the same as Ina Garten tells her viewers.

I asked the sales guy where the fresh herbs was and he only told me that its not available and they really only had dried herbs.

Its a little disappointing for a very well known grocery store that doesn't have fresh herbs. I should've suggested Abreeza mall or Robinsons Cybergate. At least there, I'm pretty sure there's a huge selection of fresh herbs.

Anyway, still, SM Supermarkets are great place to shop for groceries. :)

Panda Sunglasses

I was searching for sunglasses on the internet when I stumbled upon these really cool sunglasses. It caught my eye because of the frames wood-like style. Very unique compared to the metal and plastic frames we use to have. When I clicked on the image, I found out that these wood-like styled sunglasses are made up of eco-friendly materials (recycled polycarbonate and bamboo). How cool is that?

I checked out their website and they have lots of styles which would suit the shape of your face (they have a fit guide on their website). Personally, among all the styles, I like their newest pair which is the Jackson - Brown (photo above). It looks perfect for summer.

Value wise, its a little bit pricey (P6,000 a pair) for a typical Filipino, but hey! Sunglasses are always good investments. For a price like that, you'd be sure that the quality of the lens would be higher, protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. Plus, when you buy a pair, portion of the money you'll be paying will go to TOMA Foundation (got that info from their website) which help fund give sight to people -"For every pair you purchase, the PANDA-TOMA partnership will provide an eye or medical exam to a person in need. We will also donate a pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses (for those with cataracts or a similar type of eye deficiency)."

Its like TOMS shoes! Not only will you look cool and have great protection for your eyes, you'll also be able to help out others! That's a few points addition to your social responsibility. ;) So what are you waiting for? Grab your own pair of PANDA SUNGLASSES now!

To get a pair, visit their website:

www.wearpanda.ph

SM Cineme e-Plus Card

Don't you hate waiting in line to buy tickets? Don't you hate it when you come late to the movie house but you still have to go through a long line of people just to get tickets? Do you want to have a less hassle movie experience?

Well, its easy! You can now have a hassle free experience with SM Cinema's e-PLUS Loyalty Card. No need to wait in line. You are the priority! You can watch your movies anytime you want, wherever SM Branch you want. You can even collect points and win fab prizes!

So What is e-PLUS?

e-PLUS (or Entertainment - Privileges. Lifestyle. Upgrades. Surprises) is SM Cinema's loyalty program that provides exclusive rewards, exciting freebies, and special discounts to its loyal patrons. e-PLUS cardholders also get to enjoy discounts and perks from partner establishments.

So enroll now and get your e-PLUS Loyalty Card at any SM Cinema branch nationwide for only P300 registration fee! Enjoy your freebies!

How to:

Go to the nearest SM Cinema Branch and inquire at the movie ticket booth.

For more information, visit:

http://www.smcinema.com/

or

visit their facebook page for details:

SM Cinema e-PLUS Facebook page

(don't forget to like)

Here at SM... We got it all for you!

Iron Man IMAX 3D

IRON MAN 3, now showing on all cinemas nationwide. So I decided to get lost at SM Lanang Premiere today to watch (in IMAX) the most awaited 3rd installment of the Marvel's famous IRON MAN 3! Tony Stark is back with a vengeance! But I won't spoil the movie for you. I'll let you find out what happened. All I can say, worth the wait, worth the money!

As I mentioned above, I watched the movie in IMAX to get the feel of the movie. Its actually my first time watching IMAX here in Davao and its only in SM Lanang Premiere. The movie never disappointed me but somehow, the cinema did. Or maybe I just chose the wrong seat number. I had seat L19. Its at the center but its way to high for me.

Let me describe the cinema for you. I would have taken a picture of it but I don't have a great quality camera phone with me so I'll just use my words and I hope I give justice. Unlike the IMAX in SM Mall of Asia in Manila, which was really big, IMAX in SM Lanang's a little bit smaller (or way too smaller) than I expected it to be. Though it has comfy and has leaning chains and great leg room, the leveling seems a little bit off. Have you seen a pirated movie where heads of movie goers are visible? Well, yeah. That's kinda how IMAX was in SM Lanang. I see the heads of people seating below L19 on the screen and its really distracting.

I guess that's the only problem I have. Though all in all, still a great experience. The screen won't disappoint you, besides, only in SM Lanang can you find an IMAX Theater in the whole of Davao City; but if I had a reservation ahead of time, I would have chosen the seats below L19. Preferably, J19.

What are you waiting for? Go watch IRON MAN 3 in IMAX Today! Only at SM Cinemas!

For Reservation:

log in to: http://www.smcinema.com/

call: (082) 297-6998 for SM Davao

Enchanted River, SURIGAO DEL SUR

After that cliff diving/jumping experience at Canibad, Samal Island, I wanted to do more adrenaline-pumping-experience. Since its sunny season in the Philippines, my body was longing to jump and dive in a very cool body of water. Best place to do it; the famous ENCHANTED RIVER at Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

I've been to Enchanted River a few times. The first time back when I was young and the river was in its all-natural glory (untouched;pristine). The second time was when it became popular to tourists and the third time was the last time, 2 days after we buried my tita.

ENCHANTED RIVER is around 6-8hrs travel from Davao City according to travel blogs. I think it actually depends on what kind of transportation you have. If you take the public bus, you probably will have the maximum hours to get there. But if you have your private vehicle and you are a rough road fast driver, it wouldn't take too long. Since I was already at San Franz, Agusan Sur (my family's hometown), the travel was more or less 2 hours. San Franz to Hinatuan would be around an hour and a half; and from Hinatuan proper to the Enchanted River would take you roughly around 30mins. When I say roughly, I mean rough roads from the Hinatuan junction to Enchanted River.

When you go through the rough road, you'd probably think if the destination's gonna be worth it for you to go through a VERY BUMPY ride. But I tell you, that if you get there, the scene will take your breath away. I've been there a few times but the scene still takes my breath away. The color of the water is surreal as if its a painting brought to life. The water is oh so clear you could see the fishes just by looking at the water. Its really enchanting, hence the name.

Enchanted River doesn't have rooms if you're planning to stay in for the night. I don't think they allow overnights in there because locals believe that during the night time, fairies, elves and other mystical creatures appear to enjoy their river. But that's just the locals. I haven't seen anything mystical yet so I couldn't really comment about it. They do have small cottages and tables where you can put your things and probably some food/snacks while you're swimming.

Security-wise, the area is well protected by the Surigao Police. You'll be greeted by a police person at the entrance. They collect the 30 pesos entrance fee (for adults). You can also rent life vest if you're not so confident with your swimming skills and goggles if you want to see the underwater basin which is really amazing, but for some, really scary.

I recommend, for those of you who are planning to go there this summer, go during the weekdays, because people usually crowd the place during the weekends. But if it can't be help and you the only day you can come to the place is on weekends, try to go there after lunch. For us, the last time, we went there at around 1:00nn and got there at around 3pm. It was not crowded and we were the last people to get out of the river. It was really fun because we really enjoyed the area with only a few people around.

Additional Info:

At 12nn, everyone is asked to get out the water for an hour because the staff will be feeding the fishes. The staff will start playing some music, and amazingly fishes from underneath as large as someone's leg will come out to be fed. These fishes react to the music. They sometimes do the feeding at 3pm.

IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES. So explorers, adventurers and nature lovers, be enchanted now at ENCHANTED RIVER!

Cliff Diving at Canibad, SAMAL ISLAND

What's the best way to enjoy summer (especially right after a hectic, stressful year of medical school)? BEACH!

A friend posted a picture on facebook about a cliff diving site somewhere in Canibad. I've never been to Canibad before, so I wanted to check it out and my friend really wanted to try the cliff diving. So right after the exams and before the whole barkada goes home to their respective provinces, we decided to try and check out Canibad.

Tell you, going to Canibad wasn't easy. We had to ask locals for directions and we have to go through narrow, rocky, bumpy road and a very long step of stairs down to reach a place they call, The Secret Paradise Resort. All in all, the travel from Davao to Canibad was around 1hr 45min to 2hrs max.

But the trip was all worth it. When we got there, it was really like paradise. White sand. Crystal clear blue water. Can't complain. And the cliff that we went there for, AMAZING!

We had lunch for a while and then rewarded ourselves a deserving dip in the blue water before we went climbing the cliff for the jump.

Photo: The guy in red going up is me.

The climb wasn't a breeze. The cliff was somewhat a rock formation combination of limestone and corals so the path was really spiky. Foot protection is a must here.The climb, like the way to get to Canibad, is worth it, because when you get to the cliff, you'll see the clear skyblue color of the water from above. The cliff is about 10 meter high or maybe even more from the surface of the water, while the water below is about 20ft or more.

                            

Photo: The Dive courtesy of Al M., my friend

From the shore, the cliff looks very close to the water which makes it really exciting but when you get to the cliff and look down, you'd have second thoughts. Unfortunately, once you go up the cliff, there's no turning back. Its much easier to climb up, but not so easy going back.So the only way to get off that cliff is to JUMP or for my friend to dive head down first.

All in all, the trip was all worth it. Very fulfilling especially when you get to jump from the cliff a few times.

For those who want to try or want to go to his place, no need for reservations. They have huts in cases of overnight stays but personally, i prefer tents. Feel that nature there! For food, well, they only have a mini mart that sell sodas, beers, cigarettes and junk food, so if you want a scrumptious meal, bring your own. They do have a grilling area at the back so people can grill if they have meat or fish. No need to bring coolers of some sort, they have ice available. The cooler will only make your life miserable when you go down and go up to and from the secret paradise.

Photo: (L-R back) Monika, Alexa, Reena, Dyessa, Venette, Ericka, (front) Me, Ricky, Al